June 13, 2017

State lawmakers are quickly advancing a bill that would
overhaul North Carolina's regulations on solar energy production.

It's a wide-ranging measure that's getting rare support from
both utilities like Duke Energy and renewable energy advocates. Sponsors of the
bill say it's the product of nearly a year's worth of negotiations between the
two.

The proposal ends the state's ban on third-party energy sales. Homeowners and
businesses would be allowed to lease rooftop solar panels, rather than buy
them. And it would set up a competitive bidding process for solar companies to
sell power to utilities.

Duke Energy supports that because it would theoretically cut the price of
solar. The company’s spokesman Randy Wheeless said the bill also allows the
utility to accept bids from developers, which would dramatically cut the price
it pays for solar energy.

“It really wasn't tied to the market rate for solar, so in the competitive
bidding process, we're able to take what the market is bearing versus some cost
the commission had set forth,” Wheeless said.

Renewable energy groups are touting the bill's requirement for Duke Energy to
extend its use of solar and bio-fuels.

The bill was introduced this week and has already passed through two
committees. It's expected on the House floor today.